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Value and impact of patch testing in patients with allergic contact dermatitis
Maria Magdalena Constantin
Abstract: Contact dermatitis (eczema), entity recognized since ancient times, requires certain inflammatory reactions in the skin from direct contact with harmful environmental agents, representing 4-7% of dermatologist patients. There are two forms of contact dermatitis, irritant and allergic, at an incidence ratio of 4:1. Patch testing is the predominant method of establishing cause of contact allergy. Patch testing technique has undergone a continuous development and improvement since its first application in the 19th century; the bioassay proved to be a very effective tool for determining the status of a patient allergic sensitization, especially if performed in optimal conditions and competently interpreted. Recent efforts converge towards ideal patch test, free of side effects and no evidence of false-positive or false-negative reactions.
Keywords: allergic contact dermatitis,sensitization,allergen,patch test.
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